IngentaConnect Caries decline in the primary dentition of Belgian children over ...

Abstract:

Carvalho JC, D'Hoore W, Van Nieuwenhuysen JP. Caries decline in the primary dentition of Belgian children over 15 years. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2004; 32: 277–82. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 Abstract – Objectives:

(1) To investigate changes in caries prevalence in the primary dentition of children resident in Brussels, Belgium between 1983 and 1998, (2) to analyse associations between changes in caries and children's socioeconomic and ethnic aspects. Methods:

In the Brussels region, children in the first grade at the same schools were sampled in cohort 1983 (n=396) and cohort 1998 (n=473). Caries experience of Belgian and non-Belgian nationals was summarized in dmf scores. The socioeconomic status of the children was established based on their parents’ education and profession. The children were categorized in eight subgroups in relation to their socioeconomic status, ethnic origin and cohort (SESEC subgroups). Results:

The percentage of caries-free children increased significantly from 31.5% to 47.5%. A reduction was observed in the dmft scores from 3.9 to 2.3 (P < 0.001) and in the dmfs scores from 6.9 to 5.0 (P < 0.001). The odds ratio of being caries-free was 2.5 times higher for privileged children and 2.3 times higher for children belonging to cohort 1998. Theancovaanalyses revealed that most of the SESEC subgroups showed significant reduction in dmft scores from 1983 to 1998 (P < 0.003). Conclusions:

Children resident in Brussels showed caries decline in their primary dentition over 15 years. Diversity in caries decline was associated with children's socioeconomic status and ethnic origin.

Keywords: dental caries; epidemiology; ethnic origin; primary dentition; socioeconomic status

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00166.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Dentistry 2: School of Public Health, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

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